U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will implement new regulations concerning the importation of dogs into the United States due to the risk of rabies starting August 1, 2024. The new regulations impose requirements on both the airline and the customer traveling with a dog. The CDC updated the requirements for dogs arriving from rabies-free and low risk dog rabies countries on 22 July 2024.

These restrictions apply only to dogs and do not affect the transportation of other pets. There have been no changes to the transportation of dogs as cargo, read more on Finnair Cargo webpage.

The CDC has granted Finnair an exemption that allows dogs to be transported with customers in the cabin or in the hold, provided that the dog has a Dog Import Form and other CDC requirements are met. This exemption is valid for the time being.

You are responsible for ensuring your dog meets the entry requirements of the destination country. Read more about the CDC requirements on www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/index.html. Our ground crew at the airport will check the documents required for the USA. You should be prepared for U.S. authorities to verify that your dog also meets all CDC requirements. If the requirements are not met, you may face challenges during the U.S. entry process; for example, your dog may be denied entry and returned to the country of origin.

If your dog’s reservation has been cancelled in July 2024

Before we received information about the exemption, we unfortunately had to cancel all reservations for dogs confirmed on our flights from Helsinki to the United States starting August 1, 2024. If your reservation was cancelled, you can contact our customer service to rebook your dog’s reservation and make any necessary changes. We will contact you personally via email.

If you are planning to travel with your dog to the USA

We are accepting new reservations for dogs travelling to the United States with you in the cabin or as checked baggage on flights arriving in the country after 1 August 2024.

What documents does my dog need to enter USA?

We kindly ask you to check the current requirements for bringing dogs into the United States on the CDC's website at www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/index.html.

Travelling with a Service or Assistance Dog

Service and assistance dogs are also subject to the new requirements set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We can transport service and assistance dogs on our flights, provided that all CDC requirements are met.  

We are very sorry for the inconvenience and the worry this situation may cause you.

You can see your passenger rights here.